How To Care For And Clean Your Coins(if you must!)

How to Take Care of Collectible Coins

Many coin collectors, including myself, believe that a person should never ever clean their collection because they believe that any product that is applied to the coin will affect the surface.This is commonly referred to as the "patina".

Patina is a film on the surface produced by oxidation over a long period,also produced by age, wear, and any such acquired change of a surface through age and exposure. On metal, patina is a coating of various chemical compounds such as oxides or carbonates formed on the surface during exposure to the elements (weathering). Patina also refers to accumulated changes in surface texture

Here are some tips on maintenance and preservation of collection:

The Best way to preserve a collection is to avoid dirt and the oils from your skin from touching the coins.This is best accomplished by the use of cotton gloves.
The coin should be protected from exposure to any kind of elements. It is also important not to scratch the coins; they should be handled with care to avoid scratches on the surface of the coins.
It is safe to store the coins in plastic cases or pockets that are made specifically for coin collections and sets.This very important to reiterate ; What you store your collection in must be specifically for coins.Some plastics and paper can discolor your coin with an irreversible stain. Cases and pockets specifically met for this purpose can protect the coins from dirt and scratches.

It is very important to remember that the value of the coin may depreciate if the coin has been cleaned. It is recommended to seek the advice of an expert on other ways of preserving a coin

Let It be known here and now ; I DO NOT CONDONE THE CLEANING OF COINS UNLESS IT IS DONE BY A PROFESSIONAL AND ABSOULUTLEY NECCESSARY FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THE COIN!
Whew! I am getting kinda cranky about that , Huh?
Only because I have made the mistake myself when I was a kid and know of a few people who have done the same.
That being said , If you insist, the following methods can be used, but again this is not recommended by myself:

First , Try this approach:

Coins can be cleaned using vinegar, lemon juice, ammonia or rubbing alcohol.A soft toothbrush may help with cleaning and removing any dirt that is in the surface of the coin.

Next, if you must, you can try the following :

There are products available that are made especially for coin cleaning. Coin suppliers have these products that are specifically made for coin maintenance and cleaning in stock. One product made for this purpose is MS70 which removes corrosion and other surface dirt. It is advisable to use rubber gloves for the protection of your hands, as MS70 can dry the skin but this should be of little concern because it is not that harsh on the skin. Improvement in the appearance of the coin will be seen after it has been soaked and cleaned. If satisfaction is not met on the cleanliness and appearance of the coin, baking soda may be added to neutralize the MS70 and soak it in warm water.

After soaking, dry the coin using a Blue Ribbon coin cleaner and preservative; apply a coat and dry it for a couple of days then wipe the damp parts with soft cotton balls and place it on a small cardboard with a space on the center.

In my opinion , unless the coin is covered in poop, you should keep it in the condition you got it . Just enjoy it for what it is . Listen to the stories it has to tell!

H.B.Stone is an avid collector of coins since childhood.
His Blog can be found at Http://coincollecting123.blogspot.com

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